Bankrupt brothers arrested for looting jewellery shop in Mumbai

The duo were arrested after their 16-year-old brother, who also an accomplice in the Khar-based shop's robbery spilled the beans during interrogation by the police

Two brothers were arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch yesterday for looting a Khar-based jewellery shop. The accused, Madan Singh Rajput (20) and Manohar Singh Rajput (24) had robbed Meethalal Jewelers in Khar (East) on October 18 and were planning to leave the city soon. However, during police interrogation, the 16-year-old brother, who was also an accomplice, spilled the beans about the robbery plan.

Heavy lossesThe Rajput brothers had started a gold jewellery business in Kandivli (West). However, the duo incurred heavy losses and the business started to run into debts. Eventually, the brothers had to give in to the market pressure and shut their shop. The moneylenders started pestering them to repay the loans. Frustrated, the Rajputs decided to rob a jewellery store.

Inside jobFor a safe attempt at robbery, the brothers started hunting for jewellery stores, which didn’t have CCTV cameras. Posing as customers, the duo went to several shops in the western suburbs, where they found Meethalal Jewelers.

An officer from Mumbai Crime Branch (Unit VII) informed, “Once they zeroed in on the shop, they sent their 16-year-old brother, who was aware of the jewellery trade, to work at Meethalal Jewelers.”

The minor was asked to keep an eye on the business and inform his brothers about any big consignments. On October 18, the shop owner had called for a few sets of heavy jewellery.

The youngest accomplice informed the Rajput brothers. The masked brothers entered the shop and tied the 16-year-old with ropes. They then went upstairs where the owner of the shop was working and assaulted him. They decamped with gold jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh.”

Cop speakAnother officer from the Crime Branch said, “We were clueless in the case. After few days, we started questioning the 16-year-old boy. He kept on changing his statements. Later, when we grilled him, he revealed details about the heist. We have recovered gold jewellery from the accused.”